Parliamentary Committee nods to new refugee camp

Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security chairperson Ralph Jooma has agreed with government’s proposal to relocate refugees from Dzaleka in Dowa to Kayilizi in Chitipa District.

He said this on Sunday after touring the proposed site in Senior Chief Mwenewenya in Chitipa.

“We have shortage of land at Dzaleka which has 201 hectares [ha] but here there are 330ha, which is ideal for a refugee camp,” said Jooma.

He said his committee was also impressed as it is close to the border unlike Dzaleka which is in the interior of the country.

Jooma further said his committee was pleased that the traditional leaders and people of Kayilizi have welcomed the development.

Group village head Kayilizi dismissed rumours of resistance by his subjects.

He said: “My people have welcomed the project wholeheartedly. Actually this is a very rural area and it would have taken ages for it to be urbanised.

“But with the coming in of the refugee camp, we stand to benefit in all sectors.”

Government decided to close Dzaleka and find a new site close to the northern border of the country as one way of improving refugee management.

This year, government started implementing the relocation of refugees to Dzaleka which resulted in congestion at the facility, which already holds more than its capacity.

However, some civil society organisations are objecting the move.